Beloveds we are the church who gather for corporate worship and scatter for service in the spheres of influence God affords us. Like ancient Israel shifting to synagogues when the Temple was destroyed, our worship of God is not limited to a building or space. Like the first disciples of Christ shifting their gatherings to secret places, the people of God continue to worship in Spirit though the venue may change. This time of physical distancing is an act of caring for our neighbor as we continue to acknowledge our dependence on the Creator of the Universe.

In this sermon on the resurrection of Lazarus Pastors Dennis and Heather discuss how even when everything about Lazarus’ death makes it impossible for his sisters and the gathered friends to imagine he could walk out of the tomb, when Jesus calls to him, he comes. Resurrection is God’s realm. 

Neither Lazarus nor anyone else present is said to believe in Jesus’ power. Just the opposite is the case. The crowd does not expect the dead man to emerge when the stone is rolled away. The people assume that death is final, irrevocable, and there is no remedy for it.

Yet, the story shows us that the crowd did not have to believe in order to make Lazarus’ appearance possible. Human belief is not the source of the rising. Jesus’ oneness with the Father is the source of the rising. Jesus sees beyond death to God’s infinitely greater power. He demonstrates with thanksgiving and authority that his vision is true.

Through just such powerful events, the veracity of Jesus’ vision is given to us. We cannot come to them with ready-made belief. Instead, Jesus creates the ability to believe by causing death again and again to turn to life. Those who watch and help to unbind Lazarus are given the vision they need.

We invite you to join with us in this discussion.